Carbon reduction in existing buildings: a transdisciplinary approach

Clear policy mandates as a response to climate change are emerging in many countries around the world. The UK is one of many that are actively pursuing a national policy of substantial carbon emissions reduction. Given the large percentage of energy consumed by existing buildings (for space and water heating as well as for lighting and appliances), the existing building stock is becoming one of the key targets for public policy, and research has shown that interventions in existing building stocks can substantially reduce carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions (e.g. Urge-Vorsatz et al. 2007). It has become increasingly clear to policy-makers that both significant reductions in the energy demand of buildings and significant increases in their energy efficiency will be needed. Although each country has a different composition of building stock (differences in age, construction, density, scale and composition, quality, climate, etc.), there are lessons and strategic approaches that can be shared between different countries [...continues].